What is the proper use? Will the rig be at risk if I don't use?

Much Appreciated...

--- Geoffrey Turk
--- gturk@earthlink.net

I have heard of people adding running backstays to J-30s, but class legal boats do not have them, so feel free to take them off. I would think if you do sail with them, you could sail with the rig a lot looser and using the running backs to control your forestay tension. However, thie usually comes with a rating penalty under most rating systems.

I have seen two configurations for running backs. One with a tang just below the uppers, applying headstay tension. The more common for controlling mast "pump" in a steep swell has the upper tang just below the spreaders and is not used to alter shape so much as to prevent the infamous fatigue at the spreader fastener line. All I have used is the latter which is applied going to weather and then just enough to prevent mast movement.
Doug.